IZMIR (Turkey) - Raymar Morgan, the frontcourt scoring machine that fueled Pinar Karsiyaka's triumphal return to the Basketball Champions League Play-Offs following their two-year absence from the competition, has been named MVP of the Month for January.

The 32-year-old power forward averaged 20.7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.7 steals and an efficiency rating of 25.3 per game through January to lead Karsiyaka to three wins in as many games during this month.

Morgan was the fifth-leading scorer in the 2020-21 Regular Season, averaging 19.5 points per game, as Karsiyaka finished on a 4-2 record in Group F and clinched a spot in the next stage.

I try not to worry about individual honors. I hope for our team's success. If these honors come, great. If not, I will still sleep great at night - Raymar Morgan

"Thank you for this honor, it brings me great pleasure, I was very excited to hear this news," was the immediate reaction of the Karsiyaka big man to the official BCL website.

"As an athlete, these are the moments you work so hard for during the off-season.

"I like to think positive at all times, even when things aren’t going your way.

"So yes, I thought we had a great chance to make the Play-Offs, but we have to be realistic as well: A playoff spot wasn’t going to just fall in our laps, we had to go out and earn it," Morgan added.

Having players with a mindset that prioritizes team success over individual honors is of course something every coach strives for, but in the case of Karsiyaka it certainly seems like it's already the everyday reality of the team.

I think we have a great chance to make the Final 8, but it will take a lot of concentration and sacrifice - Raymar Morgan

Ufuk Sarica, the head coach responsible for arguably the most successful stretch in Karsiyaka club history, has put together a team that runs an egalitarian offense - and where a player that doesn't have the ball in his hands a lot, like Morgan, can lead the team in scoring.

Morgan gives as much credit to the team as to himself for his extraordinary January statline.

"First of all I have to thank my teammates and coaching staff, they are a huge part of my success. They make my job easier," he explained.

"My mindset remains the same: Stay aggressive, play hard, and have fun.

"Here at Karsiyaka we watch a lot of film, so I’m always looking to see where I can get better and attack my opponents' weaknesses. Any edge I can get over my opponent, I try to take advantage of."

Precisely because of his team-first mindset though, it's nearly impossible to extract from Morgan a sentence that indicates he is harboring any aspirations of personal nature for the business end of the season.

I love our team and love our chances. I think we have all the right pieces to make a run at the championship - Raymar Morgan

Simply put, the January MVP is not even considering the possibility that earning this accolade converts him into a candidate for 2020-21 season MVP honors.

"I try not to worry about individual honors. I hope for our team's success. If these honors come, great. If not, I will still sleep great at night," Morgan said.

By contrast, the January MVP has put a considerable amount of thought into team success, starting with Karsiyaka's campaign in the BCL Regular Season to secure a spot in the Play-Offs, and the Turkish team's chances of making a deep run and even challenge for the title.

"It’s still too early to rate our team, because there’s still so much room for growth, and we’re getting better week by week," he said.

"I think we have a great chance to make the Final 8, but it will take a lot of concentration and sacrifice.

"I love our team and love our chances. I think we have all the right pieces to make a run at the championship."

We push each other every day for one common goal, and that’s to win a championship - Raymar Morgan

Morgan's evaluation of Karsiyaka's chances is especially interesting not only because of his long experience in European hoops - the Michigan State alum had previous stints at Panathinaikos, Ratiopharm Ulm, Tofas Bursa and Unics Kazan - but also because he has the double benefit of a fresh view of the Izmir club combined with the view of somebody who knew what he was in for, even before he arrived.

Morgan joined Karsiayka in the summer following a two-year spell at Unics, but he had played briefly for the Turkish club back in 2011.

"Overall the city seemed to be the same, other than some new buildings, tow more shopping malls and some changes in management, not much has changed in good old Izmir," he said.

"I think building a relationship with my teammates early was key [to performing well].

"After all, these are the guys I suit up with, and go to battle with every day."

Morgan is Karsiyaka's leading scorer in both the BCL and the Turkish BSL league, where the Izmir side have a 16-3 record and are standing right on the heels of league leaders Anadolu Efes.

But players like Amath M'Baye, Tony Taylor and Sek Henry are also averaging double-digits in scoring in both competitions, and that is just one of the many facets of Karsiyaka's depth of options.

"As far as our style of play goes, I think it suits me well. I love how anyone of my teammates can have a big night for us," Morgan said.

"We push each other every day for one common goal and that’s to win a championship.

"I need to trust my teammates just like they need to trust me."

Trust is most definitely in high supply in Izmir, and don't be surprised if Morgan's January MVP honors is simply a warning shot to the rest of the BCL contenders of what Karsiyka have in store for the rest of the season.